Buildings turn blue for diabetes on 14 November

In a worldwide event, buildings around Australia will join others around the globe to turn blue to mark the first United Nations World Diabetes Day on 14 November.

They will be lit blue as a symbol to raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes.

“The global threat of diabetes as a major health crisis facing all nations of the world has now been recognised with the UN resolution,” says Joe Tooma, chief executive officer of Diabetes Australia, Queensland.

“Queensland will have the most buildings lit blue in any one region around the world. Other buildings around the world including the Empire State Building in New York, Sydney Opera House, Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Tokyo Tower in Japan and the London Eye will light up blue.”

The blue circle that is the global symbol for diabetes and has been adopted as the logo for World Diabetes Day signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes pandemic.

“By raising awareness of the risk factors and making healthier lifestyle choices and ensuring, support, care and treatment to those living with diabetes we can Unite for Diabetes,” Mr Tooma said.

For more information visit www.worlddiabetesday.org